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Originally Posted by Chris85
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Old news Chris.
As I understand it, Jerry Gibbs Cameras (Murray Gibb) own BTOW, which is still managed by Keith, however, it is run independently from Jerry Gibbs Camerahouse. Gibbs also has the Gerry Gibbs Camera "Warehouse" as well, which is their online business which is also run independently from their retail store.
Furthermore, I have found that some of the online prices are considerably better than their retail store. Case in point: I wanted to buy an 8x32 Leica Ultravid binocular, for my upcoming trip to the US to go to Stellafane, and had a look at it in their Cannington store and the price was $2,300, which is about right at retail level. When I came home and did some research online, to be sure that was the model I needed, I went to their "Wharehouse" site to check something and noticed that they had it as a "web special" at $1,999, so I bought it online and picked it up at the retail store. The guy at the retail store wasn't too happy about losing the sale, although I was buying it from the same company. Affects his sales figures, I guess? Strange that a company would be competing with itself, but then, maybe he is trying to establish his online presence.
Either way, I find dealing with Jerry Gibbs to be quite good. Also Kieth at BTOW is good to deal with and his prices are quite good too.
Given the above, it looks to me that the telescope and binocular site is the online version of the retail site (his Camera House sell telescopes as well) and is in competition with BTOW, at a guess. In some ways this is a smart move, as BTOW and Keith have an established reputation.